Catching up

Daneen Barone Shelton with pro dancer Scott Koogle at the Heart of America Dancesport Championships in August 2022.

A personal update: My years-long quest to enter the national ballroom dance championships, formally known as the United States Dance Championships, has come to an end. I did well in my respective competition categories. I’d love to return and try again for the top spot, but I’m afraid the cost of competition is too high for this former journalist. I plan to compete just once a year going forward (OK, maybe twice in some years), focusing instead on social dancing across a variety of styles. This should keep me fresh for photographing dancers, which is my passion as well as my business after retiring from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Lately, I have taken on a variety of photographic assignments. I photographed competitors at the Heart of America Dancesport Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. I did a maternity shoot of Laine Torres Bartley and her family.

I photographed some dancers performing live at the Minnesota State Fair. And I made some headshots for an IT professional moving up in his organization. I also did some studio portraits of a dancer who’s trying to sell her ballroom gown.

Nate Hill

Whether you’re a dancer looking to update your profile or just want a family portrait for your holiday cards, I hope you’ll consider hiring me.

Kris Larson models a dress she’d like to sell.